Africa-Press – Namibia. The Ngangela-speaking community, known as the Mashaka people from Okongo in the Ohangwena region, say they feel left out because their language and identity are not officially recognised by the government.
Speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of two classroom blocks at Nangolo Mbumba Combined School, Omboloka headman Toivo Bernard claims young people from the Mashaka community struggle to find jobs in government.
“Our children are not accepted during police, NDF and other government recruitment, even though they have the same qualifications as others. Why are they treated differently?”
Community member Maria Markus also said people often confuse the Mashaka with the Kavangos.
“We are not Kavangos. We have our own tribe, and our language is different from Kavango languages,” she explained.
Two local activists, Petrus Amutenya and Selma Shikongo, supported the community’s concerns.
Amutenya said that denying the Mashaka official recognition is a violation of their cultural rights, while Shikongo stressed that all Namibians should be treated equally regardless of tribe or language.
In response, Information and Communication Technology minister Emma Theofelus assured the community that they are full Namibians like any other tribe.
School principal Lazarus Shapwa said there are learners at his school who are from the Mashaka community.
“The learners from that community are the same as others and are performing well in their school work,” he said.
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